What the contract means for Milton

Milton will spend the majority of the 2018-19 NBA season with the Delaware Blue Coats of the G-League. There, he will have the opportunity to play big minutes instead of being the last man up in the Sixers guard logjam.

It also means that he can be called up by Philadelphia for stints with the team, should his services be required. Milton can spend up to 45 days with the Sixers during the season, not necessarily all at once.

The opportunity to receive strong developmental attention in the G-League and get practice reps with the Sixers could allow him to make the most of his rookie season.

In that “making the most” vein, Milton has a leg up on full-time G-Leaguers, who make $35,000 per season. Per an official G-League release last April:

NBA two-way players will earn $77,250, prorated for days spent on an NBA G League roster, and the NBA rookie minimum salary, prorated for the days with their NBA team, for maximum potential earnings of $385,000 next season.

By entering into a two-way contract agreement with the Sixers, Milton secures his financial future and leaves the door open for the team to sign him to an official NBA contract in the future.

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

What the contract means for the Sixers

NBA teams have 15 roster spots and two additional spots for two-way players. With Milton signed on a two-way deal, the Sixers have 14 full-time players under contract. This allows them to sign one more free agent or receive two players back when trading one, without waiving anyone.

That won’t necessarily happen, but it’s important to think about as the Sixers look for a team willing to acquire guard Jerryd Bayless. If Philadelphia is unable to trade him, it can work toward a buyout agreement, but flexibility in pursuing legitimate return value is a plus.

The team also saves money, as Milton’s full earning potential in 2018-19 is still less than the NBA rookie minimum salary. As stated in Philadelphia’s release earlier today, “terms of the deal were not disclosed.”Regardless of whether or not the Sixers fill the roster opening they’ve maintained, they are placing their prospect in the situation that best suits him. The move is best for both parties.